News Roman puts best foot forward to conquer Kempton rivals

Roman puts best foot forward to conquer Kempton rivals

racing

Former Willie Mullins inmate Un Beau Roman (20-1) caused something of a shock in the William Hill Download the App Handicap Chase at Kempton.

Though twice placed in graded company over fences, the eight-year-old had offered little in his last five starts, but on his second run since joining Whitsbury-based trainer Paul Henderson, he looked back to his best in gaining his second win over fences.

Wayne Hutchinson was content to let three of his five rivals set a good gallop for the conditions, with The Clock Leary, jumping much better than he has recently, keeping up a good tempo,

Venetia Williams' runner was still in front turning in, but Un Beau Roman was always travelling sweetly in behind, as Galway Jack made a brief move on the outer.

The Clock Leary tired and Hutchinson took advantage, joining that rival at the third-last, drawing readily clear before the penultimate obstacle to score by four and a half lengths from Galway Jack.

The victory did not surprise is trainer, however. Henderson said: "He's the best horse I have at home. The lad that rides him, amateur Gordon Treacy, kept saying he was a nice horse and whatever he's worked with, he's always got a double handful. I thought he was decent.

"Everyone always says don't buy one from Willie Mullins, but my owners wanted a nice horse to go for some nice races with, and unfortunately, of all the top trainers, he is the only one you can buy them from - no-one else wants to let go of a horse like this.

"Because of the ground, he got that trip. He has been running over two miles in Ireland, but I think he is a two-and-a-half-miler. On that ground the race went his way. There were about four front-runners and I said to just sit off them and see how you got on. They came back to him and his jumping kept him in it early on.

"He jumped so well. Wayne says he'll be better on better ground, but his stamina kicked in today.

"We may head to Cheltenham on the 30th (of January). I think there is a race for him over two and a half miles there."